Tension fills the House following the events involving Philip Dragmire. To ease the feeling, the Fanel siblings
organize a card game with Tranns and Lucien. When Adriana shows up to join in however, everyone is stunned to see her
scantly dressed and behaving in a skanky manner. As her behavior continues, she finally angers Tranns to the point of
putting an abrupt end to the game.
The next day, she approaches Aden and he too notes her behavior. Quickly, he deduces that she is troubled, dealing
with her near death experience and new mortality and begins to help her come to terms with what Philip nearly did to
her. Meanwhile, Ariadne is experiecing a similar pain, over the darkness she allowed herself to reveal during her adventure
in Sybok. No one is able to help her however, because she must keep her charade a secret from Philip, in case Dragmire
ever returns.
A volatile combination ignites when both Adriana and Ariadne meet up in the basement. Tensions rise as Ariadne
tries to goad Adriana into talking about her feelings and though Sito tries his best to diffuse the situation, it quickly
explodes into an all out shouting match as Ariadne and Adriana let their pent up feelings for each other come to the surface.
Ariadne screams at Adriana for treating her coldly. Adriana retorts, complaining about the attention Philip gives Airy
and how her looks define what she represents. Angry and at the breaking point, Ariadne shatters a window and cuts
her face, running out of the room. Adriana is so disgusted that she quits her position as leader of the Phoenix Fighters.
The next morning, Tranns comes to speak with Adriana who has a black eye from Philip. Though their conversation
starts out friendly enough, Tranns soon gets on Adriana's nerves and Adriana sents her away with angry reproaches, refusing
to claim back command of the House and citing reasons why she's an irresponsible leader, including the fact that she's grown
addicted to pick-me-up pills. Tranns leaves in a huff and informs Philip that he's been put back in charge and then
goes to the basement, taking out her anger first on the punching bag, and then on Lucien. Lucien calms her down eventually
and reminds her that she is Adriana's only hope.
Tranns takes matters into her own hands, employing a bit of tough love by first removing all of Adriana's possessions
from her room and then confronting her about the addiction. Adriana openly admits she's terrified and begins to go into
withdrawal. Tranns relaxes a bit and begins to comfort Adriana instead. Together, the two women talk through their
troubles. Discussing the problems of competition, soulmates, and dependency, they both come to realize that they belong
where they are and Adriana decides to resume her place as the leader of the House. Everyone is grateful to be out from
under Philip's rule.